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Article
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Single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing reveal the spatiotemporal trajectories of fruit senescence
Fruit senescence is a complex physiological process. Here, the authors construct a single-cell expression atlas of pitaya pericarp pitaya to provide a spatiotemporal perspective of the dynamic process of plant senescence.
- Xin Li
- , Bairu Li
- & Robert Henry
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Review Article
| Open Access
Choreographing root architecture and rhizosphere interactions through synthetic biology
Engineering the form and function of root systems and their associated microbiota could provide a means to mitigate adverse climate-driven effects. Here, the authors review the recent developments in plant and rhizobacterial synthetic biology and highlight engineering targets for applications in root systems and rhizosphere.
- Carin J. Ragland
- , Kevin Y. Shih
- & José R. Dinneny
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Article
| Open Access
IMA peptides regulate root nodulation and nitrogen homeostasis by providing iron according to internal nitrogen status
The authors show IRON MAN peptides have an essential role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation during legume-rhizobium symbiosis. The peptides additionally function to regulate nitrogen homeostasis by controlling nitrogen-iron balance.
- Momoyo Ito
- , Yuri Tajima
- & Takuya Suzaki
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Article
| Open Access
Discovery of plant chemical defence mediated by a two-component system involving β-glucosidase in Panax species
In this work, the authors discovered that Panax species, the valuable medicinal plants, have evolved a two-component chemical defence system comprising a chloroplast-localized β-glucosidase and 20(S)-protopanaxadiol ginsenosides.
- Li-Juan Ma
- , Xiao Liu
- & Jian-Bo Wan
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Article
| Open Access
A CYBDOM protein impacts iron homeostasis and primary root growth under phosphate deficiency in Arabidopsis
Iron deposition in cell walls inhibits Arabidopsis root growth under phosphate deficiency. A protein with iron reductase activity belonging to an uncharacterized CYBDOM family was identified which modulates this process and affects iron homeostasis.
- Joaquín Clúa
- , Jonatan Montpetit
- & Yves Poirier
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Article
| Open Access
Ferric reduction by a CYBDOM protein counteracts increased iron availability in root meristems induced by phosphorus deficiency
The study identified an Arabidopsis ascorbate-dependent metalloreductase belonging to the CYBDOM family, which functions in maintaining cell elongation and meristem integrity by preventing iron-dependent root growth arrest under phosphate deficiency.
- Rodolfo A. Maniero
- , Cristiana Picco
- & Ricardo F. H. Giehl
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Article
| Open Access
Proximity to Photosystem II is necessary for activation of Plastid Terminal Oxidase (PTOX) for photoprotection
Plastid terminal oxidase (PTOX) is efficient in photoprotection in stress-tolerant plants. Transferring this activity to different species requires modifications to the thylakoid structure to allow PTOX access to the Photosystem II acceptor pool.
- Pablo Ignacio Calzadilla
- , Junliang Song
- & Giles Nicholas Johnson
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Article
| Open Access
Mechanically-primed voltage-gated proton channels from angiosperm plants
The authors describe a proton channel protein in the vasculature of Arabidopsis thaliana that requires both mechanical and electrical stimuli to turn on. A mechanistic analysis identifies the molecular determinants for the hybrid activation process.
- Chang Zhao
- , Parker D. Webster
- & Francesco Tombola
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Article
| Open Access
A mitochondrial pentatricopeptide repeat protein enhances cold tolerance by modulating mitochondrial superoxide in rice
Cold stress hampers rice growth and yield. This paper demonstrates that mitochondrial superoxide plays a key role in cold responses, and identifies a pentatricopeptide repeat protein which modulates mitochondrial superoxide and rice cold tolerance.
- Xiaofeng Zu
- , Lilan Luo
- & Xiaofeng Cao
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Article
| Open Access
A silicon transporter gene required for healthy growth of rice on land
Rice actively accumulates silicon as amorphous silica (phytoliths), which protects the plant from various stresses. Here, the authors show that SlET4, a polarly localizes Si transporter, exports Si from leaf cells to the leaf surface and is required for healthy growth of rice on land.
- Namiki Mitani-Ueno
- , Naoki Yamaji
- & Jian Feng Ma
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Article
| Open Access
Green leaf volatile sensory calcium transduction in Arabidopsis
Plants sense volatiles emitted by injured neighboring plants and elicit defense responses to external threats. Here, the authors show that Arabidopsis leaves uptake two green leaf volatiles via stomata and trigger cytosolic Ca2+ defense signaling.
- Yuri Aratani
- , Takuya Uemura
- & Masatsugu Toyota
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Article
| Open Access
Earthworms contribute significantly to global food production
Earthworms contribute to plant growth. Here, Fonte et al. conduct a global meta-analysis and estimate that earthworms contribute to roughly 6.5% of global grain (maize, rice, wheat, barley) production and 2.3% of legume yields, equivalent to over 140 million metric tons annually.
- Steven J. Fonte
- , Marian Hsieh
- & Nathaniel D. Mueller
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Article
| Open Access
Acidification suppresses the natural capacity of soil microbiome to fight pathogenic Fusarium infections
We have limited knowledge on how soil conditions affect microbiota and plant health. Here, the authors find that soil acidification impacts bacterial communities and reduces the capacity of soils to combat fungal pathogens such as Fusarium.
- Xiaogang Li
- , Dele Chen
- & Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
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Article
| Open Access
Differential CaKAN3-CaHSF8 associations underlie distinct immune and heat responses under high temperature and high humidity conditions
The authors reveal a mechanism in understanding the responses to Ralstonia solanacearum in pepper under high temperature and high humidity conditions, that is differential associations between transcription factors mediate distinct immune and heat responses.
- Sheng Yang
- , Weiwei Cai
- & Shuilin He
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Article
| Open Access
Salicylic acid metabolism and signalling coordinate senescence initiation in aspen in nature
Deciduous trees exhibit autumn senescence driven by environmental seasonality. Here, the authors show that senescence timing in aspen tree genotypes depends on environmental changes but also on the ability of each genotype to sustain stress tolerance mediated by the phytohormone salicylic acid.
- Jenna Lihavainen
- , Jan Šimura
- & Stefan Jansson
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Article
| Open Access
Cell type-specific mapping of ion distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Giehl et al. describe a method for simultaneous quantification of up to 11 mineral elements in different root cell types, explore the consequences of perturbed xylem loading and identify a cell type-specific constraint for metal sequestration in roots.
- Ricardo F. H. Giehl
- , Paulina Flis
- & Nicolaus von Wirén
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Article
| Open Access
Unlocking the potentials of cyanobacterial photosynthesis for directly converting carbon dioxide into glucose
Photosynthetic glucose production is well controlled due to its complex interactions with other cellular processes. Here, the authors identify that the native glucokinase activity is the bottleneck restricting the metabolism potential for glucose synthesis and engineer a cyanobacterium strain that can produce 5 g/L of glucose.
- Shanshan Zhang
- , Jiahui Sun
- & Xuefeng Lu
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Article
| Open Access
An ancient metabolite damage-repair system sustains photosynthesis in plants
Rubisco is responsible for sequestering virtually all of the carbon dioxide in the global carbon cycle. Here, the authors demonstrate that two conserved phosphatases degrade Rubisco misfire products that inhibit photosynthesis in plants.
- Dario Leister
- , Anurag Sharma
- & Thilo Rühle
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Article
| Open Access
Identification and improvement of isothiocyanate-based inhibitors on stomatal opening to act as drought tolerance-conferring agrochemicals
The authors describe a brassicales-specific metabolite BITC as a stomatal opening inhibitor that suppresses PM H+-ATPase phosphorylation. They develop BITC derivatives with higher inhibitory activity that act as drought tolerance–conferring agrochemicals.
- Yusuke Aihara
- , Bumpei Maeda
- & Toshinori Kinoshita
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Article
| Open Access
Algal cell bionics as a step towards photosynthesis-independent hydrogen production
Low rate and limited duration are major challenges in photobiological hydrogen production. Here, the authors coat algal cells with a concentrically arranged shell comprising an ultra-thin Fe(III)-doped polypyrrole inner layer and outer exoskeleton of CaCO3, and achieve sustainable H2 production for over 200 days.
- Zhijun Xu
- , Jiarui Qi
- & Xin Huang
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Article
| Open Access
Identification of a tomato UDP-arabinosyltransferase for airborne volatile reception
Volatiles from herbivore-infested plants can function as chemical warning signals to neighbouring plants. Here the authors show that a tomato UDP-glycosyltransferase can convert a volatile signal emitted by infested plants to promote plant defense.
- Koichi Sugimoto
- , Eiichiro Ono
- & Junji Takabayashi
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Article
| Open Access
Wood structure explained by complex spatial source-sink interactions
The authors present a wood formation model to explain multiple, hitherto poorly understood observations, related to carbon density, cell size, and temperature-growth relationships key for future carbon cycle simulations and past proxy interpretation.
- Andrew D. Friend
- , Annemarie H. Eckes-Shephard
- & Quinten Tupker
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Article
| Open Access
A signal-like role for floral humidity in a nocturnal pollination system
Flowers are well known for attracting pollinators with visual and olfactory displays. Here, the authors show that in a nocturnal, desert pollination system, flower choice by pollinators is also mediated by floral humidity.
- Ajinkya Dahake
- , Piyush Jain
- & Robert A. Raguso
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Article
| Open Access
Genome of Paspalum vaginatum and the role of trehalose mediated autophagy in increasing maize biomass
Paspalum vaginatum is a stress tolerant wild relative of maize and sorghum. Here, the authors assemble its genome at pseudomolecule level and reveal the role of trehalose mediated autophagy in increasing maize biomass productivity under nutrient-deficit conditions.
- Guangchao Sun
- , Nishikant Wase
- & James C. Schnable
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Article
| Open Access
Uptake mechanism of iron-phytosiderophore from the soil based on the structure of yellow stripe transporter
Iron is an essential mineral in plant physiology. YS1 transporter imports iron–phytosiderophore complex (Fe(III)–DMA) from the soil. Here, the authors describe the cryo-EM structures of barley YS1 in complex with substrate, and a synthetic substrate analog.
- Atsushi Yamagata
- , Yoshiko Murata
- & Mikako Shirouzu
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Article
| Open Access
Calcium-mediated rapid movements defend against herbivorous insects in Mimosa pudica
Mimosa pudica moves its leaves within seconds of being touched or wounded. Here the authors show that such movements are triggered by rapid changes in Ca2+ and action and variation potentials and provide evidence that rapid movements help protect the plant from insect attacks.
- Takuma Hagihara
- , Hiroaki Mano
- & Masatsugu Toyota
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Article
| Open Access
A combination of plasma membrane sterol biosynthesis and autophagy is required for shade-induced hypocotyl elongation
Plants subject to vegetative shade receive a low quantity of blue light (LB) and a low ratio of red to far-red light (LFLR). Here the authors show that while LB induces autophagy, LFLR leads to changes in lipid metabolism, and propose that these processes may contribute to shade avoidance responses.
- Yetkin Çaka Ince
- , Johanna Krahmer
- & Christian Fankhauser
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Article
| Open Access
Nocturnal plant respiration is under strong non-temperature control
Plant respiration at night is assumed to be temperature-controlled. Here, the authors show that temperature controls less than half of the variation in leaf respiration rate at night, and demonstrate how to account for such nocturnal variation in biosphere models.
- Dan Bruhn
- , Freya Newman
- & Lina M. Mercado
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Article
| Open Access
Strigolactones are chemoattractants for host tropism in Orobanchaceae parasitic plants
Parasitic plants are able to grow towards potential hosts. Here the authors show that strigolactones produced by the host plants can act as chemoattractants for the root parasites Phtheirospermum japonicum and Striga hermonthica.
- Satoshi Ogawa
- , Songkui Cui
- & Ken Shirasu
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Article
| Open Access
Translational fidelity and growth of Arabidopsis require stress-sensitive diphthamide biosynthesis
Diphthamide is a post-translationally modified histidine residue present in animal and yeast TRANSLATION ELONGATION FACTOR2. Here the authors show that diphthamide modification of eEF2 is conserved in Arabidopsis thaliana and contributes to translational fidelity and growth via cell proliferation.
- Hongliang Zhang
- , Julia Quintana
- & Ute Krämer
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Article
| Open Access
A role for ascorbate conjugates of (+)-catechin in proanthocyanidin polymerization
Proanthocyanidins are natural polymers of flavan-3-ols produced by plants. Here the authors provide genetic and biochemical evidence for the involvement of ascorbate linked flavan-3-ol oligomers in the extension of the proanthocyanidin chain.
- Keji Yu
- , Richard A. Dixon
- & Changqing Duan
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Article
| Open Access
Nitrogen represses haustoria formation through abscisic acid in the parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum
Parasitic plants obtain nutrients from their hosts. Here the authors show that nitrogen sufficiency suppresses parasitism in the root parasite Phtheirospermum japonicum by increasing levels of the phytohormone ABA suggesting that the degree of parasitism is regulated by nutrient availability.
- Anna Kokla
- , Martina Leso
- & Charles W. Melnyk
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Article
| Open Access
Phloem iron remodels root development in response to ammonium as the major nitrogen source
Ammonium affects plant root development through different mechanisms than nitrate. Here, the authors show that the Arabidopsis cell wall-localized ferroxidase LPR2 is required to attenuate root growth in response to ammonium.
- Xing Xing Liu
- , Hai Hua Zhang
- & Chong Wei Jin
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Article
| Open Access
PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE transcription factors enable arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis
Arbuscular mycorrhiza support plant phosphate uptake. Here Das et al. show that PHR transcription factors permit arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis by promoting gene expression related to symbiosis development and maintenance.
- Debatosh Das
- , Michael Paries
- & Caroline Gutjahr
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Article
| Open Access
Mechanism of phosphate sensing and signaling revealed by rice SPX1-PHR2 complex structure
SPX proteins sense phosphate levels in plant cells by binding to inositol polyphosphates (InsP) and suppressing the activity of PHR transcription factors. Here the authors show that when bound to InsP6, the rice SPX1 protein inhibits the activity of PHR2 by attenuating both its dimerization and DNA binding activity.
- Jia Zhou
- , Qinli Hu
- & Weiman Xing
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Article
| Open Access
Coalescence and directed anisotropic growth of starch granule initials in subdomains of Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts
Starch is the major form of energy storage in plant cells and forms discrete, semi-crystalline granules within plastids. Here the authors use electron tomography and nanoSIMS to show that Arabidopsis starch granules initiate in stromal pockets between thylakoid membranes that coalesce before growing anisotropically.
- Léo Bürgy
- , Simona Eicke
- & Samuel C. Zeeman
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Article
| Open Access
Initiation of cytosolic plant purine nucleotide catabolism involves a monospecific xanthosine monophosphate phosphatase
Dephosphorylation of xanthosine monophosphate (XMP) initiates purine nucleotide catabolism in plant cells. Here the authors identify an XMP phosphatase from Arabidopsis that channels XMP towards catabolism in vivo and demonstrate the structural basis for its XMP specificity.
- Katharina J. Heinemann
- , Sun-Young Yang
- & Claus-Peter Witte
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Article
| Open Access
MCAs in Arabidopsis are Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channels inherently sensitive to membrane tension
Mechanosensitive ion channels convert mechanical stimuli into intracellular electric and ionic signals. Here the authors show that Arabidopsis MCA2 is a Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channel that is directly activated by membrane tension.
- Kenjiro Yoshimura
- , Kazuko Iida
- & Hidetoshi Iida
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Article
| Open Access
Divergent abiotic spectral pathways unravel pathogen stress signals across species
Spectral screening can be used to monitor plant health. Here via airborne hyperspectral imaging of tree species, the authors show that spectral pathways associated with vascular pathogens can be distinguished from those linked to abiotic stress providing the potential for early detection of threatening diseases.
- P. J. Zarco-Tejada
- , T. Poblete
- & J. A. Navas-Cortes
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Article
| Open Access
CO2, nitrogen deposition and a discontinuous climate response drive water use efficiency in global forests
Water use efficiency is a key measure of plant responses to climate change. Here, the authors investigate its control by CO2, nitrogen deposition, and water availability using a global tree-ring dataset. They find an aridity threshold and quantify changes in control over the past 50 years.
- Mark A. Adams
- , Thomas N. Buckley
- & Tarryn L. Turnbull
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Article
| Open Access
Dynamics of moisture diffusion and adsorption in plant cuticles including the role of cellulose
The plant cuticle provides a barrier between internal leaf tissues and the environment. Here the authors develop a mathematical model of water movement through the cuticle and describe a prominent role for cellulose in controlling the dynamics of moisture diffusion and adsorption.
- E. C. Tredenick
- & G. D. Farquhar
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Article
| Open Access
Excessive ammonium assimilation by plastidic glutamine synthetase causes ammonium toxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Ammonium is an important nitrogen source for plants but excess ammonium impairs growth. Here the authors show that ammonium toxicity results from assimilation by GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE 2 in the plastids which results in excess proton accumulation and acidity stress.
- Takushi Hachiya
- , Jun Inaba
- & Hitoshi Sakakibara
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Article
| Open Access
Non-invasive hydrodynamic imaging in plant roots at cellular resolution
Existing methods for non-invasively monitoring water flow in plants have limited spatial/temporal resolution. Here, the authors report that Raman microspectroscopy, complemented by hydrodynamic modelling, can monitor hydrodynamics within living root tissues at cell- and sub-second-scale resolutions.
- Flavius C. Pascut
- , Valentin Couvreur
- & Kevin F. Webb
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Article
| Open Access
Two chemically distinct root lignin barriers control solute and water balance
Defects in the Casparian strip, a fine band of lignin that seals root endodermal cells and plays roles in nutrient homeostasis, activate a signaling pathway leading to over-lignification. Here, the authors show that this process leads to the deposition of compensatory lignin that is chemically distinct from Casparian strip lignin.
- Guilhem Reyt
- , Priya Ramakrishna
- & David E. Salt
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Article
| Open Access
GABA signalling modulates stomatal opening to enhance plant water use efficiency and drought resilience
GABA accumulates during stress in plants but how, where and when GABA acts is not clear. Here the authors show that GABA production in Arabidopsis guard cells reduces stomatal opening and transpirational water loss, thereby improving water use efficiency.
- Bo Xu
- , Yu Long
- & Matthew Gilliham
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Article
| Open Access
Development of a mugineic acid family phytosiderophore analog as an iron fertilizer
Iron is an essential plant nutrient that is poorly bioavailable in alkaline soils, resulting in reduced agricultural productivity. Here, the authors report the synthesis of stable and cheap iron-chelator, proline-2’-deoxymugineic acid (PDMA), and demonstrate its utility as potential fertilizer.
- Motofumi Suzuki
- , Atsumi Urabe
- & Kosuke Namba
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Article
| Open Access
Asymmetric water transport in dense leaf cuticles and cuticle-inspired compositionally graded membranes
Most aerial organs of vascular plants are covered by a waxy cuticle that limits water loss. Here the authors show that the asymmetric architecture of the cuticle creates a polarity gradient to ensure directional movement of water through olive and ivy leaf cuticles and construct bioinspired artificial membranes that mimic cuticle behaviour.
- Aristotelis Kamtsikakis
- , Johanna Baales
- & Christoph Weder
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Article
| Open Access
The evolution of critical thermal limits of life on Earth
Historical climate adaptation can give insight into the potential for adaptation to contemporary changing climates. Here Bennett et al. investigate thermal tolerance evolution across much of the tree of life and find different effects of ancestral climate on the subsequent evolution of ectotherms vs. endotherms.
- Joanne M. Bennett
- , Jennifer Sunday
- & Miguel Ángel Olalla-Tárraga
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Article
| Open Access
Inositol pyrophosphates promote the interaction of SPX domains with the coiled-coil motif of PHR transcription factors to regulate plant phosphate homeostasis
Plants regulate phosphate homeostasis via the interaction of PHR transcription factors with SPX receptors bound to inositol pyrophosphate signaling molecules. Here the authors show that inositol pyrophosphate-bound SPX interacts with the coiled-coil domain of PHR, which regulates the oligomerization and activity of the transcription factor.
- Martina K. Ried
- , Rebekka Wild
- & Michael Hothorn
Thylakoid protein FPB1 synergistically cooperates with PAM68 to promote CP47 biogenesis and Photosystem II assembly